Temperature Controlled Pillowcase Assembly

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled pillowcase assembly for cooling a user when the user is lying on a pillow includes a pillowcase for insertably receiving a pillow for the purposes of sleeping. A plurality of tubes is integrated into the pillow case and each of the tubes is in thermal communication with the pillow case. A cooling unit is provided and the cooling unit is in thermal communication with the plurality of tubes. Moreover, the cooling unit cools each of the tubes when the cooling unit is turned thereby facilitating the plurality of tubes to cool the pillowcase. In this way the cooling unit can cool the user when the user lies on the pillowcase. Additionally, the cooling unit is remotely positioned with respect to the pillowcase.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to pillowcase devices and more particularlypertains to a new pillowcase device for cooling a user when the user islying on a pillow.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to pillowcase devices including a varietypillowcase devices that have a thermoelectric cooler being integratedtherein for cooling a user.

Additionally, the prior art discloses a variety of pillowcase devicesthat have pockets integrated therein for receiving ice packs or heatpacks to cool or heat a user. The prior art discloses a mattress thathas a plurality of air apertures integrated therein thereby facilitatinga remote air conditioning unit to blow conditioned air through the airaperture for cooling a user. The prior art discloses pillow case thathas an electric heat source being removably positionable therein forheating a pillow in the pillow case. The prior art discloses a pillowthat has air passages therein for absorbing heat from a user to help theuser stay cool while sleeping. The prior art also discloses a wedgepillow and a blower unit that is removably insertable into the wedgepillow for cooling a user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a pillowcase for insertably receiving a pillow forthe purposes of sleeping. A plurality of tubes is integrated into thepillow case and each of the tubes is in thermal communication with thepillow case. A cooling unit is provided and the cooling unit is inthermal communication with the plurality of tubes. Moreover, the coolingunit cools each of the tubes when the cooling unit is turned therebyfacilitating the plurality of tubes to cool the pillowcase. In this waythe cooling unit can cool the user when the user lies on the pillowcase.Additionally, the cooling unit is remotely positioned with respect tothe pillowcase.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature controlled pillowcaseassembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through5 thereof, a new pillowcase device embodying the principles and conceptsof an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the temperature controlledpillowcase assembly 10 generally comprises a pillowcase 12 that has anopen end 14 for insertably receiving a pillow 16 for the purposes ofsleeping. The pillowcase 12 has an outer layer 18, a middle layer 20 andan inside layer 22. The outer layer 18 is comprised of a textile, themiddle layer 20 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material andthe inside layer 22 is comprised of a textile. The middle layer 20 abutsthe outer layer 18, and the inside layer 22 is spaced from the middlelayer 20 to define a tube space 24 between the inside layer 22 and themiddle layer 20. Additionally, the inside layer 22 defines an interiorof the pillowcase 12 for receiving the pillow 16.

A plurality of tubes 26 is each integrated into the pillowcase 12 andeach of the tubes 26 is in thermal communication with the pillowcase 12.Each of the tube is positioned in the tube space 24 between the insidelayer 22 and the middle layer 20 of the pillowcase 12. Additionally, thetubes 26 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed over anentire length and an entire width of the pillowcase 12. As is mostclearly shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of tubes 26 may be formed into asequence of loops that are distributed over the pillowcase 12. Each ofthe tubes 26 is in fluid communication with a common outlet 28 and acommon inlet 30. Moreover, each of the common outlet 28 and the commoninlet 30 is fluidly coupled to a port 32 extending through the outerlayer 18 of the pillowcase 12.

A cooling unit 34 is provided and the cooling unit 34 is in thermalcommunication with the plurality of tubes 26. The cooling unit 34 coolseach of the tubes 26 when the cooling unit 34 is turned on therebyfacilitating the plurality of tubes 26 to cool the pillowcase 12. Inthis way the cooling unit 34 can cool the user when the user lies on thepillowcase 12. Additionally, the cooling unit 34 is remotely positionedwith respect to the pillowcase 12.

The cooling unit 34 comprises a housing 36 has an outer wall 38 and theouter wall 38 has a vent 39 extending into an interior of the housing36. A control circuit 40 is positioned in the housing 36. The coolingunit 34 includes a conduit 42 that has a send portion 44 and a returnportion 46, and the send portion 44 is fluidly discrete from the returnportion 46. The conduit 42 is fluidly coupled to the port 32 having thesend portion 44 being in fluid communication with the common inlet 30 ofthe plurality of tubes 26. Additionally, the return portion 46 is influid communication with the common outlet 28 of the plurality of tubes26. The conduit 42 may comprise a tube with a pair of chambers, a twinhose or any other similar type of conduit that can send and receive afluid. The port 32 may comprise a releasable fluid fitting therebyfacilitating the conduit 42 to be disconnected from the pillowcase 12for laundering the pillowcase 12.

The cooling unit 34 includes a pump 48 that is positioned within thehousing 36. The pump 48 has an intake 50 and an exhaust 52, and the pump48 urges a fluid outwardly through the exhaust 52 when the pump 48 isturned on. Moreover, the exhaust 52 is fluidly coupled to the sendportion 44 of the conduit 42 such that the pump 48 urges the fluid intothe plurality of tubes 26 when the pump 48 is turned on. The exhaust 52is fluidly coupled to the return portion 46 of conduit 42 for retuningthe fluid to the pump 48. The pump 48 is electrically coupled to thecontrol circuit 40 and the pump 48 may comprise an electric fluid pumpor the like. Additionally, the fluid may be water or other non-toxicfluid.

The cooling unit 34 includes a blower 54 that is positioned in thehousing 36 and the blower 54 is in fluid communication with the pump 48.The blower 54 blows air across the pump 48 when the blower 54 is turnedon to exchange heat from the fluid with ambient air. In this way theblower 54 cools the fluid when the fluid returns to the pump 48. Theblower 54 is electrically coupled to the control circuit 40 and theblower 54 may comprise an electric fan or other similar type of blowerthat can move a volume of air sufficient to exchange heat with the fluidin the pump 48.

The cooling unit 34 includes a low button 56 is movably coupled to thehousing 36. The low button 56 is electrically coupled to the controlcircuit 40, and each of the pump 48 and the blower 54 is turned on to aminimum intensity when the low button 56 is depressed. A medium button58 is movably coupled to the housing 36 and the medium button 58 iselectrically coupled to the control circuit 40. Each of the pump 48 andthe blower 54 is turned on to a medium intensity when the medium button58 is depressed. A high button 60 is movably coupled to the housing 36and the high button 60 is electrically coupled to the control circuit40. Each of the pump 48 and the blower 54 is turned on to a highintensity when the high button 60 is depressed.

The cooling unit 34 includes plurality of light emitters 62 that is eachcoupled to the housing 36 to emit light outwardly therefrom. Each of thelight emitters 62 is electrically coupled to the control circuit 40 andrespective ones of the light emitters 62 is turned on when either thelow button 56, the medium button 58 or the high button 60 is depressed.Each of the light emitters 62 may comprise an LED or other similar typeof light emitter and each of the light emitters 62 may emit light of aunique color with respect to each other. A power cord 64 is coupled toand extends away from the housing 36, and the power cord 64 iselectrically coupled to the control circuit 40. The power cord 64 has adistal end 66 and a male plug 68 is electrically coupled thereto forplugging into a power source 70 comprising a female electrical outlet.

In use, the pillow 16 is inserted into the pillowcase 12 and the coolingunit 34 is turned on by depressing either the low button 56, the mediumbutton 58 or the high button 60. Thus, the fluid is pumped though thetubes 26 to cool the pillowcase 12 and subsequently enhance comfort forthe user when the user is lying on the pillow.

Moreover, the middle layer 20 of the pillowcase 12 facilitates the tubes26 to be cushioned while the user is lying on the pillowcase 12. Theconduit 42 is uncoupled from the port 32 to facilitate the pillowcase 12to be laundered or serviced.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. A temperature controlled pillowcase assembly for cooling apillowcase thereby enhancing comfort for a user while sleeping, saidassembly comprising: a pillowcase having an open end for insertablyreceiving a pillow for the purposes of sleeping; a plurality of tubes,each of said tubes being integrated into said pillow case, each of saidtubes being in thermal communication with said pillow case; and acooling unit being in thermal communication with said plurality oftubes, said cooling unit cooling each of said tubes when said coolingunit is turned thereby facilitating said plurality of tubes to cool saidpillowcase wherein said cooling unit is configured to cool the user whenthe user lies on said pillowcase, said cooling unit being remotelypositioned with respect to said pillowcase.
 2. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said pillowcase has an outer layer, a middle layer andan inside layer, said outer layer being comprised of a textile, saidmiddle layer being comprised of a resiliently compressible material,said inner layer being comprised of a textile, said middle layerabutting said outer layer, said inner layer being spaced from saidmiddle layer to define a tube space between said inner layer and saidmiddle layer.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of saidtubes is positioned in said tube space between said inner layer and saidmiddle layer of said pillow case, said plurality of tubes being spacedapart from each other and being distributed over an entire length and anentire width of said pillowcase.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2,wherein each of said tubes is in fluid communication with a commonoutlet and a common inlet, each of said common outlet and said commoninlet being fluidly coupled to a port extending through said outer layerof said pillowcase.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein saidcooling unit comprises: a housing having an outer wall, said outer wallhaving a vent extending into an interior of said housing; and a conduithaving a send portion and a return portion, said send portion beingfluidly discrete from said return portion, said conduit being fluidlycoupled to said port having said send portion being in fluidcommunication with said common inlet of said plurality of tubes, saidreturn portion being in fluid communication with said common outlet ofsaid plurality of tubes.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5, whereinsaid cooling unit comprises: a control circuit being positioned in saidhousing; and a pump being positioned within said housing, said pumphaving an intake and an exhaust, said pump urging a fluid outwardlythrough said exhaust when said pump is turned on, said exhaust beingfluidly coupled to said send portion of said conduit such that said pumpurges the fluid into said plurality of tubes when said pump is turnedon, said exhaust being fluidly coupled to said return portion of conduitfor retuning the fluid to said pump, said pump being electricallycoupled to said control circuit.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6,wherein said cooling unit includes a blower being positioned in saidhousing, said blower being in fluid communication with said pump, saidblower blowing air across said pump when said blower is turned onwherein said blower is configured to exchange heat from the fluid withambient air thereby cooling the fluid, said blower being electricallycoupled to said control circuit.
 8. The assembly according to claim 7,wherein said cooling unit includes: a low button being movably coupledto said housing, said low button being electrically coupled to saidcontrol circuit, each of said pump and said blower being turned to aminimum intensity when said low button is depressed; a medium buttonbeing movably coupled to said housing, said medium button beingelectrically coupled to said control circuit, each of said pump and saidblower being turned on to a medium intensity when said medium button isdepressed; and a high button being movably coupled to said housing, saidhigh button being electrically coupled to said control circuit, each ofsaid pump and said blower being turned on to a high intensity when saidhigh button is depressed.
 9. The assembly according to claim 8, whereinsaid cooling unit includes: a low button being movably coupled to saidhousing; a medium button being movably coupled to said housing; a highbutton being movably coupled to said housing; and a plurality of lightemitters, each of said light emitters being coupled to said housingwherein each of said light emitters is configured to emit lightoutwardly therefrom, each of said light emitters being electricallycoupled to said control circuit, respective ones of said light emittersbeing turned on when either said low button, said medium button or saidhigh button is depressed.
 10. The assembly according to claim 6, whereinsaid cooling unit includes a power cord being coupled to and extendingaway from said housing, said power cord being electrically coupled tosaid control circuit, said power cord having a distal end, said distalend having a male plug being electrically coupled thereto for plugginginto a power source comprising a female electrical outlet.
 11. Atemperature controlled pillowcase assembly for cooling a pillowcasethereby enhancing comfort for a user while sleeping, said assemblycomprising: a pillowcase having an open end for insertably receiving apillow for the purposes of sleeping, said pillowcase having an outerlayer, a middle layer and an inside layer, said outer layer beingcomprised of a textile, said middle layer being comprised of aresiliently compressible material, said inner layer being comprised of atextile, said middle layer abutting said outer layer, said inner layerbeing spaced from said middle layer to define a tube space between saidinner layer and said middle layer; a plurality of tubes, each of saidtubes being integrated into said pillow case, each of said tubes beingin thermal communication with said pillow case, each of said tube beingpositioned in said tube space between said inner layer and said middlelayer of said pillow case, said plurality of tubes being spaced apartfrom each other and being distributed over an entire length and anentire width of said pillowcase, each of said tubes being in fluidcommunication with a common outlet and a common inlet, each of saidcommon outlet and said common inlet being fluidly coupled to a portextending through said outer layer of said pillowcase; and a coolingunit being in thermal communication with said plurality of tubes, saidcooling unit cooling each of said tubes when said cooling unit is turnedthereby facilitating said plurality of tubes to cool said pillowcasewherein said cooling unit is configured to cool the user when the userlies on said pillowcase, said cooling unit being remotely positionedwith respect to said pillowcase, said cooling unit comprising: a housinghaving an outer wall, said outer wall having a vent extending into aninterior of said housing; a control circuit being positioned in saidhousing; a conduit having a send portion and a return portion, said sendportion being fluidly discrete from said return portion, said conduitbeing fluidly coupled to said port having said send portion being influid communication with said common inlet of said plurality of tubes,said return portion being in fluid communication with said common outletof said plurality of tubes; a pump being positioned within said housing,said pump having an intake and an exhaust, said pump urging a fluidoutwardly through said exhaust when said pump is turned on, said exhaustbeing fluidly coupled to said send portion of said conduit such thatsaid pump urges the fluid into said plurality of tubes when said pump isturned on, said exhaust being fluidly coupled to said return portion ofconduit for retuning the fluid to said pump, said pump beingelectrically coupled to said control circuit; a blower being positionedin said housing, said blower being in fluid communication with saidpump, said blower blowing air across said pump when said blower isturned on wherein said blower is configured to exchange heat from thefluid with ambient air thereby cooling the fluid, said blower beingelectrically coupled to said control circuit; a low button being movablycoupled to said housing, said low button being electrically coupled tosaid control circuit, each of said pump and said blower being turned toa minimum intensity when said low button is depressed; a medium buttonbeing movably coupled to said housing, said medium button beingelectrically coupled to said control circuit, each of said pump and saidblower being turned on to a medium intensity when said medium button isdepressed; a high button being movably coupled to said housing, saidhigh button being electrically coupled to said control circuit, each ofsaid pump and said blower being turned on to a high intensity when saidhigh button is depressed; a plurality of light emitters, each of saidlight emitters being coupled to said housing wherein each of said lightemitters is configured to emit light outwardly therefrom, each of saidlight emitters being electrically coupled to said control circuit,respective ones of said light emitters being turned on when either saidlow button, said medium button or said high button is depressed; and apower cord being coupled to and extending away from said housing, saidpower cord being electrically coupled to said control circuit, saidpower cord having a distal end, said distal end having a male plug beingelectrically coupled thereto for plugging into a power source comprisinga female electrical outlet.